Chai Cake

Soft, spiced, and crowned with a dreamy layer of creamy frosting, this Chai Cake is like a warm hug in dessert form. Inspired by the aromatic spices found in a traditional cup of masala chai, each bite carries the essence of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves—all wrapped in a moist, tender crumb. It’s the perfect dessert for cozy gatherings, fall afternoons, or any time you crave something comforting and a little bit special.

Whether you're serving it with a steaming cup of tea or as the sweet finale to a dinner party, Chai Cake never fails to impress. The balance of spices is bold but not overpowering, and the frosting adds a luscious contrast that makes each square completely irresistible. It’s the kind of cake that disappears quickly and has everyone asking for the recipe.

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Why You’ll Love This Chai Cake

• Bursting with cozy chai spice flavor in every bite.
• Super soft and moist texture that stays fresh for days.
• A spiced cream cheese frosting that pairs perfectly.
• Easy enough for beginner bakers, impressive enough for special occasions.
• Great for holidays, potlucks, or as an anytime treat with tea or coffee.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To bring this cake to life, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools:

• Mixing Bowls: One large and one medium bowl to handle the dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: To cream the butter and sugar, which gives the cake its light texture.
• 9x13 Baking Pan: Ensures even baking and perfect thickness.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding and scraping the batter and spreading the frosting.
• Wire Rack: Allows the cake to cool evenly before frosting.

Each tool plays a key role in making the process smooth and ensuring the best texture and flavor.

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Preparation Tips

Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin—this helps them blend more easily and results in a smoother batter. Don’t overmix once the flour is added; just stir until combined to keep the crumb tender. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the icing. And for an extra flavor boost, lightly toast your spices before adding them to the mix—this releases their oils and intensifies the warm chai aroma.

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Ingredients for this Chai Cake

For the Chai-Spiced Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

For the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg

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Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Preheat Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release. Measure and set out all ingredients. Having everything at room temperature—especially the butter, eggs, and buttermilk—ensures better mixing and texture.

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Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. This helps evenly distribute the spices and leaveners, so the cake bakes uniformly and has a balanced chai flavor in every bite.

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Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, creating a tender, moist crumb.

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Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is fully incorporated. The batter should look smooth and creamy.

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Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed after each addition until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can lead to a dense cake.

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Step 6: Pour and Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain moisture. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Step 7: Make the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then beat in the vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat for an additional 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

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Step 8: Frost the Cake

Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top using a spatula or butter knife. Optionally, dust with a pinch of extra cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg for a beautiful finish and extra spice.

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Notes

Chai Cake is incredibly versatile. You can enhance its flavor by steeping chai tea bags in warm milk and using that in place of buttermilk for an even deeper tea infusion. For a lighter version, Greek yogurt can replace half the butter in the batter. The spices can be adjusted based on personal preference—feel free to increase cardamom or cinnamon for more warmth. This cake pairs beautifully with black tea or a chai latte for a truly cohesive treat.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Using Cold Ingredients: Cold butter, eggs, or buttermilk won’t blend well and can lead to a lumpy batter.
• Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix gently. Overmixing can cause a tough, dense texture.
• Overbaking: Keep a close eye during the final minutes. Overbaking dries out the cake and dulls the spice flavors.
• Frosting a Warm Cake: Always wait until the cake is completely cool. Warm cake will melt the frosting.
• Skipping Spice Measurements: Eyeballing spices might result in an overpowering or underwhelming taste. Stick to the recommended amounts for balance.

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Storage Instructions

Store Chai Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If chilled, let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. You can also freeze individual slices (wrapped tightly) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

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Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 410 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 49g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Sugar: 32g
• Fiber: 1g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chai tea concentrate in the batter?

Yes, but reduce the buttermilk slightly to account for the added liquid. It can deepen the chai flavor nicely.

What’s the best way to make this cake dairy-free?

Substitute plant-based butter, almond or oat milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice (to mimic buttermilk), and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use a good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Avoid blends with strong bean flours which may alter the taste.

Can I bake this as a layer cake?

Yes, divide the batter between two 8-inch round pans and reduce baking time to 25–28 minutes. Perfect for layered celebrations.

Is it okay to reduce the sugar?

You can reduce the sugar by up to ¼ cup in the cake without affecting texture much, though the flavor will be less sweet.

Can I skip the frosting?

Definitely! The cake is flavorful on its own and makes a delicious spiced snack cake without any frosting.

What if I don’t have cardamom?

You can leave it out or substitute with more cinnamon and a pinch of allspice, though the flavor profile will change slightly.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it's ready. The top should also spring back lightly when touched.

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Conclusion

This Chai Cake delivers everything you want in a cozy dessert—rich spice, soft crumb, and creamy frosting. It’s easy to bake, endlessly customizable, and always a hit. Whether you're making it for guests or a personal indulgence, this cake adds warmth and elegance to any table. Enjoy it fresh, share it with loved ones, and don't be surprised when everyone asks for seconds.

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